Reset unit for voting machines



Dec. 5, 1961 H. A. REED RESET UNIT FOR VOTING MACHINES Filed Oct. 19,1956 9M 9M R m n X z A m m Cm mm M 7 k N t 1 v E. V a p 0 W 5 a H u 5 Mi 6 2 H z W m 3 E M a W #3 w W 9 62.104 5- U2C|O 4 A 1 w l E 0 5 d1United States Patent 3,011,708 RESET UNIT FOR VOTING MACHINES Howard A.Reed, 1801 Shaftshury Road, Dayton, Ohio Filed Oct. 19, 1956, Ser. No.617,135 3 Claims. (61. 235-444) This invention relates to a reset unitfor voting machines or the like and, more particularly, providesimproved apparatus facilitating and expediting the simultaneous reset ofall counters on an automatic voting machine in a quick and positivemanner.

Following election activities it is essential that each voting machineemployed must have each of the numerous counters therein returned to itszero position in anticipation of further use of the machine. Thepractice has been to provide a reset tool with each voting machine whichconsists only of a thin wooden board or the like having a narrowoperating edge. In accordance with the prior art, the custodian of themachine removes the back plate of the voting machine to expose thecounter wheels therein. He then takes the board in his hand and placesthe operating edge thereof against one or more counter wheels at a timeand repeatedly rubs the operating edge of the board downwardly relativethereto to rotate them in reverse until the counters on which he isoperating are returned to a zero position. This procedure must berepeated a great number of times on an average voting machine to returneach individual counter to a zero condition. Often one or more of thecounters are not fully returned to zero, resulting in inaccuracies inthe machines readings.

The present invention was developed to eliminate all this time consumingand laborious procedure required in resetting voting machines inaccordance with the prior art. The voting machine manufactured by theAutomatic Voting Machine Corporation of Jamestown, New York isillustrative of the prior art unit to which the invention apparatus canbe applied. The apparatus afforded by the invention includes a platewhich can be installed on the back of the voting machine covering thecounter-mechanisms therein. Parallel rows of free wheeling operatingdiscs are mounted in this plate and arranged in accordance with thenumber and arrangement of the counter wheels in the voting machine towhich it is to be applied. On installation of the invention apparatus onthe back of a voting machine these operating discs will respectivelyengage the counter Wheels therein. Means are provided to drive thesediscs in simultaneous fashion so that all of the counter wheels in thevoting machine are simultaneously operated on, and returned to a zeroposition. Friction clutch means are provided to permit the discs to freewheel upon returning the respective engaged counter wheels to their zeropositions while other wheels are being returned to zero. The inventionaccordingly saves a considerable amount of labor, while being moreaccurate and dependable in use.

The object of the invention is to simplify the construction as well asthe means and mode of operation reset units forvoting machines, wherebysuch units may. not only be economically manufactured, but will be moreefiicient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety ofapplications, and be unlikely to get out of repair. I

' Another object of the invention is to provide an improved resetapparatus for voting machines and the like which will simultaneouslyoperate on and return all counter elements therein to a zero position.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved reset apparatusparticularly applicable. to voting machines which may be installed onthe back thereof so as to simultaneously operate frictionally on thecounter wheels therein and simultaneously return the counter wheels to azero position.

3,011,708 Patented Dec. 5, 1961 An additional object of the invention isto provide an improved reset unit for voting machines incorporatingparallel rows of free wheeling plastic discs which are driven throughclutch mechanisms simultaneously, the discs operating simultaneously onthe counter wheels of the voting machines to return them to a zeroposition in a single application of the reset unit to the votingmachine.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic reset unitfor voting machines and the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a reset unit for avoting machine possessing the advantageous structural features, theinherent meritorious characteristics and the mode of operation hereinmentioned.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will morefully appear in the specification, the invention intended to beprotected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction,the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation ashereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, ortheir equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein is shown one but obviouslynot necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 illustrates a section of the reset unit for voting machines asprovided by the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the section shown in 1G. 1 shown inapplication to the counters of a voting machine, the counters beingillustrated in schematic fashmm;

FIG. 3 is a detail cross-sectional view of the clutch cap employed inthe embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the device shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the counter drive elements provided in thepreferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the element of FIG. 5 taken on lines66 thereof.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughoutthe several views.

The invention can best be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. FIG. 1 of the drawings shows a section of the unitconstituting the subject invention. Since the entire unit of thepreferred embodiment of the invention provides merely an extension andduplication of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, further expandedillustration thereof would not appear to be necessary.

Thereset unit consists of apparatus mounted on a rectangular plate 1having flange elements 2 projecting perpendicularly therefrom about theperiphery thereof. The mounting plate is thus adapted to be mounted onthe back of a voting machine and to be placed adjacent to the counterwheels of the machine. Parallel bar or plate members 3 are arrangedvertically of the plate 1 on one face thereof to project perpendicularlytherefrom. Each of the bar members 3 has spaced rectangular base platesprojecting laterally therefrom in identical fashion to overliethe plate1 in abutment thereto and be fixed thereto by welding or otherconnecting means. The bar memhere 3 are thus rigidly established intheir parallel relation to project from the cover plate lin its mountedposition.

Each of the bar or plate members Shave similarly spaced aperturestherein. Respective apertures of the plates 3 are transversely alignedto rotatably accommodate shafts 5 transversely of the plate 1. Theshafts are thus mounted in transverse parallel fashion, spacedvertically of the cover plate 1 so as to have their respectiveextremities projecting from the vertical plate elements 3 adjacent thelateral extremities of the cover plate.

. ing brackets 7 are mounted to the cover plate adjacent theseprojecting extremities of the shafts in vertical spaced relation. A maindrive shaft 9' extends through and is supported in these bearingbrackets 7. Bevel gears 10 are keyed to the main drive shaft 9 at spacedpositions thereon to respectively mesh with a bevel gear 6 on aprojecting end of a shaft 5 transversely of the cover plate. A motor 11is mounted on the cover plate 1 between the upper pair of parallel driveshafts 5. The

motor drive shaft 12 projects therefrom to a point adjacent the maindrive shaft 9 and has a bevel gear 6 on the outer extremity thereofwhich is keyed thereto and engaged in meshing relation to a bevel gear10 keyed to .the main drive shaft 9. Thus, on energization of the motor11 by any suitable means, the main drive shaft 9 is driven through thebevel gears 6 and 10, and the transverse shafts 5 are thussimultaneously driven through the bevel gears 10 on the main driveshaft.

Mounted about the shafts 5 intermediate each successive pair of spacedplates 3 are free wheelingdiscelements 14. Each of the shafts 5 areprovided with a flat thereon extending longitudinally thereof. The discs14 each comprise of a cylindrical metal sleeve 15 defining the innerperiphery thereof. The outer periphery of the wheel-14 consists of alayer of rubberlike plastic 16 while the intermediate portion of thedisc 14 between the outer layer and the inner sleeve 15 consists of ahard plastic annular section 17. I

Sleeves 18 are provided about the shafts 5 to be respectively interposedbetween one face of each of the discs 14 and the adjacent face of aplate member: 3 to alford spacer sleeves thereby. A metal cap or washer19 having a flatted aperture similar in configuration to theconfiguration of the cross-section of the fiatted shafts 5.

This engagement is the reason for the section 17 being formed of a hardplastic material. the spacer sleeves 18'are of the same dimension as thecylindrical elements 15 of the disc 14 to afford a firm bearing relationbetween the end faces thereof. The disc- It is also noted that elements14 are thus balanced between the sleeves 18 and the associated clutchcaps 19;

In the operation of the apparatus, it, is generally necessary'only toremove the back cover plate of a voting machine and substitute the coverplate 1 therefor. The discs Mare so arranged on the cover plate 1 thatthey will respectively engage a counter wheel of a counter unit mountedin the voting machine in the processof applying the cover plate L This,is illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings. As thernotor 11 is energizedthe main. shaft 9 will be driven to simultaneously drive the shafts 5..Due to the normal clutching relation of the caps 19, as elfected by thecoil springs 29, to the respective discs 14, the discs are maintained inbearing relationto the respectivesp'acer sleeves 18. Since each ofthecaps 19"are connected by their mounting to the shafts 5, 'adi'rectpower-drive of each of the discs 14 is effected andthesoft plasticperipherythereof'wil'l respectively cause the rotation of the engagedcounter wheels of the counter units in. the voting machine torapidliyreverse them to their respective zero positions. In theeventfthat an engaged counter unit shall zero dur-' 'ing' this operationthe' cap clutch will slip relative the engaged disc 14 which disc willfree wheel relative the shaft 5 to whichit is mounted. In this way nodamage initiated. The slip clutcharrangement of the caps 19 and discs 14affords a safety feature, the advantages of which have been pointed out.The composition of the disc 14 insures a long life and efiicientoperation thereof due to the fact that its clutching surface isrelatively hard while its operating surface is relatively soft.

While the invention has been particularly described with reference toapplication to the counter units of voting machines, it may be readilyapplied to any apparatus affording banks of recording or tabulatingmechanisms which can be similarly operated on for reset thereof.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thusprovided a device of the character described possessing the particularfeatures of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but whichobviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions,detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from theprinciple involved or sacrificing any of its ad vantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has beendescribed in language more or less specific as to structural features,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificfeatures shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosedcomprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect.7 Y n Having thus described my 'invention,'I claim;

1. A unit to be substituted as a temporary back on voting and likemachines to returnthe numeral wheels to a starting position, including aplate constructed for mounting on a voting machine and having exteriorand interior sides withrespect to its mounting on the machine, powermeans mounted on said plate, a plurality of shafts on the exterior sideof said plate, means establishing a rotary driving connection from saidpower means to said shafts, a plurality of longitudinally spaced apartnumeral wheel engageable discs relatively rotatably mounted on each ofsaid. shafts, said discs extending through said plate to project to andbeyond the interior side thereof, bar members on said plate extendingtransversely between said discs and having said shafts passed there-'through,.an antifriction spacer sleeve on one side of each of saiddiscs, a clutch member on the other side of each of, said discsconnected to a respective shaft for unison rotary and relativelongitudinal'motion, and compression spring means urging said clutchmember against the disc, an assembly comprisinga disc, spacer sleeve,clutch memher and spring means being interposed between an adjahavingshafts rotatably mounted thereon, a common drive meansfor said shaftsmounted to said plate, wheel-elementsmounted to saidshafts at spacedintervals so as to ,be confined against axial movement.relative'thereto, said wheel elements being rotatable relative saidshafts, each of said wheel elements having a central section of hardplastic and a periphery of soft rubber like plastic, springbiasedcup-shaped clutch elements'about said shafts respectively adjacent eachof said wheel elements and biased to normally frictionally engage saidwheel elements, said cup-shaped clutch elements being connected to saidshafts for rotation therewith with their open faces in engaged relationto the relatively hard central sections of each adjacent wheel elementwhereby, on simultaneous application of said wheel elements in operativeengagement to the counter elements of the voting machine to which it isapplied and energization of said common drive means, all of said wheelelements will be frictionally driven to return said counter elements tozero position in substantially simultaneous fashion and, on each of saidcounter elements being returned, said Wheel elements will free Wheel onsaid shafts.

. References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,084,683 Williams Jan. 20, 1914

